Potato production was down in 2022 as planted acres and yield production dropped, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report.
Production is down 3% from last year due mostly to a decrease of 2% in planted acres.
It is the first time that annual potato production has declined five straight years since 1866. The production decline has occurred despite increased acres in 2019 and 2021.
Of the 13 USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service surveyed states, including Florida, only Minnesota, Nebraska, Washington and Texas observed increases in production compared to the prior year. The national potato yield averaged 438 cwt (hundredweight) per acre, the lowest yield output since 2017.
However, based on historical patterns with year-over-year decreases in production, planted acres in 2023 are forecast to be higher than 2022.
With decreased production comes higher prices. During the September 2021-August 2022 marketing year, the season average price reached a nominal record high of $10.20 per hundredweight. It was the first time the season price exceeded $10 per hundredweight. Following a smaller-than-expected 2022 potato harvest, the ’22-23 marketing year should exceed the nominal record high set last year.
Source: USDA Economic Research Service
Feature keyphrase: Potato production